Poverty and living standards in Shanghai, China: official figures
Households in Shanghai spent 52,722 yuan per person on consumption in 2024, 87% above the national average (28,227 yuan) and the highest of 31 provincial-level divisions.
How much of their income do people spend in Shanghai?
Consumption spending in Shanghai was 60% of per capita disposable income in 2024 (52,722 yuan of 88,366 yuan); nationally it was 68% (Tables 6-21 and 6-18).
Source: National Bureau of Statistics of China · saved copyHow much do people spend on food in Shanghai?
Food, tobacco and alcohol took 13,550 yuan per person in Shanghai in 2024, 25.7% of consumption spending (nationally 29.8%), 2nd lowest of 31 share among the 31 divisions.
Source: National Bureau of Statistics of China · saved copyHow much do people spend on housing in Shanghai?
Housing (rent, utilities and home upkeep) cost 17,867 yuan per person in Shanghai in 2024, 33.9% of consumption spending, 185% above the national average (6,263 yuan). That is 2nd highest of 31 provincial-level divisions.
Source: National Bureau of Statistics of China · saved copyHow much do people spend on transport in Shanghai?
Transport and communications spending was 5,605 yuan per person in Shanghai in 2024 (41% above the national average, national figure 3,976 yuan).
Source: National Bureau of Statistics of China · saved copyHow much do households spend on education in Shanghai?
Education, culture and recreation spending was 5,350 yuan per person in Shanghai in 2024 (68% above the national average, national figure 3,189 yuan).
Source: National Bureau of Statistics of China · saved copyHow much do people spend on health care in Shanghai?
Health care and medical services spending was 4,494 yuan per person in Shanghai in 2024, 8.5% of consumption spending (nationally 2547 yuan, 9.0%).
Source: National Bureau of Statistics of China · saved copyHow much do people spend on clothes and household goods in Shanghai?
Clothing and footwear took 1,936 yuan per person and household equipment, furnishings and services 2,180 yuan in Shanghai in 2024 (national figures 1,521 yuan and 1,547 yuan).
Source: National Bureau of Statistics of China · saved copyHow many poor people get help with health insurance in Shanghai?
In 2024 the medical aid scheme in Shanghai paid the health insurance contributions of 109,000 low-income people (44 per 10,000 residents; 2nd lowest of 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions; national figure 562 per 10,000). Medical aid is the state scheme that helps people on the minimum living allowance and other poor households with insurance and treatment costs.
Source: National Bureau of Statistics of China · saved copyHow many people receive medical aid treatment in Shanghai?
3,959,000 outpatient and inpatient treatments in Shanghai were covered by medical aid in 2024, 160 per 1,000 residents (12th highest of 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions; national figure 128 per 1,000).
Source: National Bureau of Statistics of China · saved copyHow much medical aid do poor residents of Shanghai use?
Shanghai medical aid covered 3,959,000 treatments for 109,000 subsidised insurance members in 2024; there were 36.3 aided treatments for each subsidised member (national figure 2.3).
Source: National Bureau of Statistics of China · saved copyHow Shanghai compares with other municipalities
Consumption spending per person (2024)
Shanghai ranks 1 of 31, highest first. Per capita consumption expenditure of households, yuan
| Rank | Region | Consumption spending per person |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shanghai | 52,722 yuan |
| 2 | Beijing | 49,748 yuan |
| 3 | Zhejiang | 45,107 yuan |
| 4 | Jiangsu | 37,346 yuan |
| 5 | Guangdong | 35,818 yuan |
| 6 | Tianjin | 35,804 yuan |
| 7 | Fujian | 33,876 yuan |
Food share of household spending (2024)
Shanghai ranks 30 of 31, highest first. Food, tobacco and alcohol as a share of consumption expenditure
| Rank | Region | Food share of household spending |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | Zhejiang | 27.9% |
| 26 | Ningxia | 27.6% |
| 27 | Jilin | 27.4% |
| 28 | Shaanxi | 27.2% |
| 29 | Shanxi | 26.6% |
| 30 | Shanghai | 25.7% |
| 31 | Beijing | 20.4% |
Housing spending per person (2024)
Shanghai ranks 2 of 31, highest first. Per capita household spending on housing, yuan
| Rank | Region | Housing spending per person |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beijing | 19,232 yuan |
| 2 | Shanghai | 17,867 yuan |
| 3 | Zhejiang | 10,832 yuan |
| 4 | Jiangsu | 9,573 yuan |
| 5 | Fujian | 8,846 yuan |
| 6 | Guangdong | 8,822 yuan |
| 7 | Tianjin | 7,619 yuan |
People helped to pay for medical insurance, per 10,000 residents (2024)
Shanghai ranks 30 of 31, highest first. Medical aid pays insurance contributions for low-income people; divided by year-end population.
| Rank | Region | People helped to pay for medical insurance, per 10,000 residents |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | Shandong | 199 |
| 26 | Guangdong | 176 |
| 27 | Hainan | 174 |
| 28 | Zhejiang | 114 |
| 29 | Tianjin | 95 |
| 30 | Shanghai | 44 |
| 31 | Beijing | 43 |
Medical aid treatments per 1,000 residents (2024)
Shanghai ranks 12 of 31, highest first. Outpatient and inpatient treatments receiving medical aid.
| Rank | Region | Medical aid treatments per 1,000 residents |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Hebei | 170 |
| 10 | Tianjin | 166 |
| 11 | Yunnan | 166 |
| 12 | Shanghai | 160 |
| 13 | Inner Mongolia | 158 |
| 14 | Ningxia | 148 |
| 15 | Fujian | 132 |
More on Shanghai: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · government budget · China
Sources
- National Bureau of Statistics of China: China Statistical Yearbook 2025, Table 6-21: Per Capita Consumption Expenditure of Households by Composition and Region (2024), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 364b1913585f…)
- National Bureau of Statistics of China: China Statistical Yearbook 2025, Table 22-22 Statistics on Medical Aid by Region (2024), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 1c077cfceae2…)
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